Shirley Downing Gallagher

Mrs. Shirley Mae Downing Gallagher, 85, of Walterboro, entered into rest Friday afternoon, January 9, 2026, at her residence with her loving family at her side. She was the wife of the late Mr. James Robert Gallagher.

Born August 15, 1940, in Dover, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late John C. Downing and the late Ruth Frances Haney Downing. She was a member of Grace Advent Christian Church in Walterboro. She will always be remembered for her talent at crocheting and sewing as well as her love for gardening and flowers.

Surviving are: five children, Anna Rivers, Bill Brown, Charles Brown, Melissa “Kelly” Polk, and Madeline Gehrig and their spouses; a sister, Ruth DeRush; eleven grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Francis; a sister, Janet Watson; and three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, January 14, 2026, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. The Reverend Wayne Lucas officiating. Interment will follow in Glendale Memorial Cemetery, 2210 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro.

The family will receive friends from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock this Tuesday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.